CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- The man who was seriously injured after his single-engine kit plane overturned at the Chesterfield County Airport is in critical condition, according to his friend who came to his aid after the crash.

Virginia State Police identified the pilot as 69-year-old Jake F. Labello of Midlothian. Troopers said they responded to the crash at the Chesterfield County Airport at about 8:40 p.m. Tuesday.

"The preliminary investigation reveals that a small single engine homemade plane was taxiing on the runway when it inadvertently left the ground, came back down and skidded off runway. The plane then overturned entrapping the pilot," a Virginia State Police spokesperson said.

Labello is a longtime member of the Wingnuts Flying Club, according to club spokesman Roger Scott.

The club held their bi-monthly meeting at the airport just hours before the crash.

Labello had just constructed the Sonex Waiex Kit plane and was working on a carburetor issue when he crashed, according to Scott.

In fact, Scott said Labello was worried about repairing the engine before flying the plane, so he was testing the aircraft by taxiing on the runway when Scott said the "freak accident" happened.

Scott stated he and other bystanders helped lift Labello's plane as first responders pulled the victim from the wreckage.

He described his friend as a cautious, experienced pilot who helped young people become acquainted with piloting. Labello often volunteered at Young Eagles events, giving free introductory flights to children.